title: Copper-catalyzed benzylic C-H oxygenation under an oxygen atmosphere via N-H imines as an intramolecular directing group.
abstract: Copper-catalyzed benzylic C-H oxygenation under an oxygen atmosphere was developed starting from carbonitriles and Grignard reagents via N-H imine intermediates. The present process is characterized by the following two-step sequence in a one-pot manner: (1) addition of Grignard reagents to carbonitriles to form N-H imines and (2) benzylic C-H oxygenation (C═O bond formation) triggered by 1,5-hydrogen atom transfer with transient iminyl copper species.
authors.affiliation: Division of Chemistry and Biological Chemistry, School of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore 637371, Singapore.
authors.forename: Line
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Gim Yean
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Ang
authors.forename: Shunsuke
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chiba